The strategy focuses on fostering employment connections for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through community engagement. By organizing community networking events, the goal is to create direct links between local businesses and individuals seeking employment. For example, by inviting business leaders and stakeholders to events, the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities are highlighted, which can open doors to new employment opportunities.
Engaging with local chambers of commerce also plays a crucial role. By attending chamber meetings and presenting initiatives, businesses can be informed about available support and incentives, paving the way for partnerships and resource sharing. Success stories and testimonials further reinforce the benefits of inclusivity.
Social media and online platforms are leveraged to broaden reach and engagement. Platforms like LinkedIn are used to connect with business leaders, while regular updates and infographics demonstrate the positive community impact of hiring individuals with disabilities. Online forums and webinars further promote awareness and understanding of the initiative, enabling a wide reach to potential partners and stakeholders.
The strategies
⛳️ Strategy 1: Organise Community Networking Events
- Identify key businesses and organisations in the community
- Plan and schedule a networking event at a convenient local venue
- Invite business leaders and community stakeholders to participate
- Promote the event through local media and social media channels
- Prepare informative materials on the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities
- Facilitate introductions and encourage discussions between businesses and attendees
- Collect feedback from participants to improve future events
- Follow up with businesses post-event to discuss potential employment opportunities
- Provide success stories as case studies to inspire participation
- Evaluate the success of the event and identify areas for improvement
⛳️ Strategy 2: Engage Local Chambers of Commerce
- Contact the local chamber of commerce to introduce your initiative
- Attend chamber meetings to network with business leaders
- Arrange to present a session or workshop at a chamber meeting
- Provide information on available support and incentives for businesses
- Gather testimonials from businesses that have employed individuals with disabilities
- Create partnerships for ongoing support and resources
- Develop promotional materials to distribute through chamber channels
- Collaborate on joint initiatives with the chamber for community success
- Build a mailing list of potential business contacts through chamber events
- Regularly update the chamber on progress and success stories
⛳️ Strategy 3: Leverage Social Media and Online Platforms
- Create professional profiles on LinkedIn and other business platforms
- Join relevant local business groups and forums online
- Post regular updates about your initiative and share success stories
- Engage with business leaders through thoughtful comments and messages
- Host virtual information sessions for interested businesses
- Create visually appealing infographics showcasing the benefits of inclusivity
- Share industry research and articles on disability employment benefits
- Organise webinars with guest speakers to discuss community impact
- Monitor social media for local events and opportunities for partnership
- Evaluate the effectiveness of social media efforts and adjust accordingly
Bringing accountability to your strategy
It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.
That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.
Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your strategy.
